Is it true it wont go on my record? i don't know who to believe. please help?

Question

so pretty much i helped my friend .. try.. to steal alcohol and the police came and called up my parents inside teh store and they took me home

i was never arrested. but according to the judge i was. [already been to juvenile court]..

im really confused cause at the time my lawyer told me like "your really lucky. once you finish your community service, probation, counseling, drug tests, it won't be on your record. this only happens in peoples dreams etc etc"

but then when i went to my drug counselor she sed it would be....

oh my god after she sed that i failed my physics test the next day -_-

is my lawyer right or is my counselor right..?

and if my counselors right. is there a chance i can convince the judge not to put this on my record?

maybe instead of doing 40 community service hours.. i can do like idk 90? or will that look bad.. maybe he'll think i did somethin easy...

AHHRG idk

i really wanna go to a decent university.. [junior in high skool now]

i have a 4.2 GPA, VP of my class, it was a lack of judgement

and i've been killing myself everyday since its happened

and im sick of disappointiny my parents

any good news..? or is it all downhill from here -_-

Answer 1

OK....my brain hurts after reading that. OUCH!!!!

Calm down and ask ur parents to find out 4 u. Get ur record sealed  omg.....u r freakin out. sorry to say but u did do something wrong and should b punished. Nice friends btw

Answer 2

I would go with your lawyer, they tend to know more of the rules. But I heard something like, if you do it while you are a minor then by the time you are an adult, it'll go away. Idk though

Answer 3

It will not go on your record.  That is the deal your attorney worked out.  Your counselor is probably trying to scare you.  If not, he is an idiot.

Even if your attorney had not made that deal your juvie record would be sealed when you turn 18.  Of course it is better to not have it at all.

Answer 4

Call your attorney or public defender to explain more thoroughly any questions you have, NOT your counselor.

The key word is DIVERSION.  This is set up for first time offenders who really appear to be in a unique situation and with no likelihood of re-offending.  In your case, probably your outstanding grades and college potential led the court to give you this exceptional opportunity.  If you successfully complete ALL the terms of your diversion AND stay out of trouble, the offense will be dismissed as if it never happened.  Your atty was correct.  Not many people are placed on diversion for theft and underage alcohol consumption/possession.  Complete your Diversion and you are golden.  Good luck.

Also, the general public has NO access to your juvenile records.  The Universities will NEVER see any juvenile arrests or convictions.  Stop Stressing.

Answer 5

you were charged with a misdemeanor, not a felony. when the dust settles it's history, no record no nothing. when you go for a background check, it won't show either. if you want leniency from the judge, your going to have to prove that you've mended your ways.  

Answer 6

your fine juvenile record can't be pulled after your 18

Answer 7

OK, legal lesson #1. Laws depend on which State you're in. Without that info, no-one can do any more than guess.

Legal lesson #2. Lawyers know more about the law than high school drug counselors. Listen to yours. (Also, PAY ATTENTION while stuff is going on - this info was, almost certainly, explained during the trial)

Legal lesson #3. There is no single, all-encompassing 'record' that follows you around all your life. There are arrest records, and there are records of convictions.

Finally, it appears you were placed in a diversion program. While the specifics vary by State, *in general* what happens in such a program is that you plead guilty to the crime, and the judge sentences you - in this case, apparently, to community service, a fine, and drug counselling. You have a certain period to do your service and pay your fine, and another, longer period - typically a year, maybe two - for which you have to keep your nose 100% clean. If you do so, then the court never formally enters your conviction, and at the end of the period they dismiss the charge. You thus have no record of a criminal conviction. If you break the law again, though, the record is entered, AND you get a new conviction.

The arrest record remains, but arrest records - especially juvenile ones - are confidential. A "criminal background check", except for stuff like joining the police or becoming a lawyer, shows only convictions.

Also, in 'most' States, even your arrest record can be either sealed totally, or destroyed, once you turn 18.

Richard